Vuln exposes eBay developer accounts

eBay security officials are requiring members of its developer program to change their passwords following the discovery of a vulnerability that could allow attackers to intercept sensitive account details.

"eBay has recently identified a means by which someone could gain access to eBay Developers Program account information," Kumar Kandaswamy, manager of the eBay Developers Program, wrote in an advisory posted on the auctioneer's website. "Out of an abundance of caution and to help ensure the security of the eBay Developers Program, we are requiring that all developers" change their passwords.

The vulnerability doesn't allow attackers to capture financial data such as credit card numbers and so far there are no known exploits targeting it. Kandaswamy didn't elaborate on on the weakness.

Over a several-month span in 2007, a hacker who called himself Vladuz was able to penetrate some eBay defenses and gain unauthorized access to parts of its network reserved for employees. The online miscreant, who was fond of bragging about his exploits on eBay chat boards, was later arrested in Romania, where he is believed to have resided.

eBay's developer program helps developers use its API to write applications for the site. The site recently imposed stricter standards on members when creating passwords. Just last week, security guru Bruce Schneier issued this refresher on the secure creation of passwords. ®